Dolpo & Shey-Phoksundo Lake Trek

Trip Description

Trekking in the Dolpo region has only been permitted since mid-1989. The region lies to the west of the Kali Gandaki Valley; Dolpo is located inside the Shey-Phoksundo National Park in mid-western Nepal, behind the Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan plateau. The region offers opportunities to visit ancient villages, high passes, beautiful Lakes, isolated Buddhist monasteries and also to experience the vast array of wildlife inhabiting the region, including Blue sheep, Mountain Goat, Jackal, Wolf and the legendary Snow Leopard. This remains a truly isolated corner of Nepal, time has stood still here for centuries as inhabitants of Tibetan stock continue to live, cultivate and trade. This trip covers you the traditional salt route from Dunai the headquater of Dolpo District to Shey Phoksundo Lake (Nepal Second Largest Lake) and ancient village of Tibetan civilization.

Trip Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

Day 01 : Kathmandu: Pick up then Transfer to hotel and handle check in. Short briefing that afternoon followed by orientation walk. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Naure Odar - Dho (4000m) in 6h. We come out onto the Tibetan plateau. A tough walk gradually-disappearing vegetation, towards Dho, the main village of the valley. Overnight at camp.

Day 09: Dho. Acclimatization day. We will visit the three main villages of the Tarap valley and the Ri Bhumpa Gompa and Bon-Po Gompa monasteries. Overnight at camp.

Day 10: Dho - Camp at 4100m (before the pass) in 5h. In this region, men trim their hair with red threads and wear them in a chignon like the Khampas from Tibet. Women wear heavy silver headgear. Overnight at camp.

Day 11: Camp at 4100m - Nun La Pass (5360m) - Camp at 4200m in 6h. From the Nun La, literraly " salt pass ", the views of the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri are superb. We then descend the other side of the mountain and establish the campsite at 4200m. Overnight at camp.

Day 12: Camp at 4200m - Bagla La Pass (5090m) - Roman (3800m) in 5h. The emerald waters of the Phoksondo lake and the picturesque village of Ringmo form one of the most beautiful Himalayan landscapes. Overnight at camp.

Day 13: Roman - Ringmo (3510m) in 2h. Gentle walk around the lake and visit the Tesu monastery. The monastery rules life in Ringmo, a town inhabited by "Bothias ", a tribe originally from Tibet. Overnight at camp.

Day 14: Ringmo - Chepka (3000m) Duration: 6 hrs trek Along the Phoksundo Khola river, the route crosses wooded and verdant areas. The high point of this leg is a spectacular 330m waterfall, the highest one in Nepal. Overnight at camp.

Day 15: Chepka - Juphal (2550m) Duration: 6 hrs trek The route gets easier. We start with a gentle climb through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La pass and descend through fir tree and rhododendron forests to Tilje. Overnight at camp.

Day 16 : Kathmandu: Fly to Nepaljung and then Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.